Abstract: A system and methods for monitoring in a current switching configuration the status of an optical switch that includes at least one electrically addressable element operative to provide the switching action, the monitoring capable of predicting a functional ability of the switch to assume another switching configuration. The system comprises an electrical monitoring circuit operative to periodically test each such electrically addressable element while the switch is set to an ON, OFF or intermediate switching configuration, and a mechanism for effecting the periodic testing. The effecting mechanism may be for example a pulse width modulation algorithm. Optical monitoring that taps input and output optical fibers and checks pigtails may be added optionally to the electrical monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the status of an optical switch that includes at least one electrically addressable element operative to provide the switching action. The system comprises an electrical monitoring circuit operative to periodically test each such electrically addressable element while the switch is set to an ON, OFF or intermediate switching configuration, and a mechanism for effecting the periodic testing. The effecting mechanism may be for example a pulse width modulation algorithm. Optical monitoring that taps input and output optical fibers and checks pigtails may be added optionally to the electrical monitoring.